Slow Day (War Machine/New Element)

United States Air Force Base

Both Major Allen and Rhodey are in one of the warehouses waiting for Justin Hammer. Justin is going to help the army to weaponize the Iron Man suit (Mark 2) that Rhodey brought back for military purposes. Once the task is complete, the government plans to present the suit to the public at the Stark's Expo.

While waiting for Justin Hammer's arrival, Rhodey removes the miniature arc reactor from the suit. Major Allen looked in awe at the bright blue miniature arc reactor saying "Think this is the power source?"

"Major, this is not a scientific exercise. Let's just focus on arming it, all right?" Rhodey replied feeling irritated by Major Allen's question.

"Yes, sir!" Major Allen replied back seriously.

At that moment, Justin strutted confidently towards them while sucking on a red lollipop and said "Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! Is it my birthday? You got it" before moaning sadly at the state of the disassembled Iron Man suit "What did you do? What did you do to it?"

Rhodey ignored Hammer's questions and replied "Hammer, I just want to know what you are gonna do for us?"

Justin exclaimed as he confidently answered "What am I going to do for you? Well, the first thing I am gonna do for you is I am gonna upgrade your software. And then, second, I think I should…"

Rhodey quickly interrupted Justin saying "That's not what I am talking about! I am talking about firepower!".

Justin glanced at Rhodey and replied "Well, you are talking to the right guy" before biting the lollipop in his hand.

A short moment later, Justin stood in front of both Rhodey and Major Allen, and started introducing the weapons that he brought along with him.

Justin held up one of the weapons saying "Claridge Hi-Tec, semi-automatic, 9mm pistol. Too downtown? I agree" before putting down the weapon on the table

"M24 shotgun, pump action. Five-round magazine. You know what? You're not a hunter. What am I talking about? I'm getting rid of it" said Justin as he introduced another weapon but since he didn't have any response from both Rhodey and Major Allen, he put down the weapon on the table too.

Justin stroked another weapon lovingly saying "This is the FN-2000 from Belgium. They do make something better than waffles. It's beautiful, But I can tell this isn't disco enough for you, so I'm gonna put it right here" before putting it down too.

Justin proudly introduces another weapon "You are looking at a Milkor 40mm grenade launcher. Tear gas, smoke. Hippie control. You're tough" before putting it down feeling a little exasperated.

"Let me tell you something. Size does matter. Don't let anyone tell you different. This is an M134 7.62 Mini-gun. Six individual barrels. The torso taker, powder maker. Our boys in uniform call in Uncle Gazpacho or Puff the Magic Dragon" Justin explained as he swung the weapon from side to side before sadly saying "Okay!" as he put the weapon down.

"These are the Cubans, baby! This is the Cohibas! The Monte Cristos! This is a kinetic-kill, side-winder vehicle with a secondary cyclotrimethlyenetrinitamine DX burst. It is capable of busting the bunker under the bunker you just busted. If it were any smarter, it would write a book. A book that would make Ulysses look like it was written in crayon. It would read it to you. This is my Eiffel Tower. This is my Rachmaninoff's Third! My Pieta! It's completely elegant. It is bafflingly beautiful. And it's capable of reducing the population of any standing structure to zero. I call it the Ex-Wife!" Justin continued on anxiously.

Both Rhodey and Major Allen stood there staring back at Justin without any response.

Facing both of them, Justin sighed slightly before saying "That is the best I got. Are we gonna do this? Give me something here. You are like a sphinx. I can't read you!" as he gestured for Rhodey to say something.

After a short amount of awkward silence, Rhodey answered "I think I will take it".

"Which one?" Justin asked confusedly.

"All of it" Rhodey replied as he walked away.

"All of it?" Justin said frowning slightly as he glanced back at all the weapons on the table.

...

Tony Stark's Mansion

(Earlier on the same day, Wednesday)

Tony is flipping through his father's notebooks and files while the video of his father promoting the Stark's Expo is being played. Tony felt irritated while watching the video since it reminded him that his father, Howard Stark didn't provide the love and attention that Tony sorely needed during his childhood when suddenly Howard said something that caught his attention.

"Tony! You are too young to understand this right now, so I thought I would put it on film for you. I built this for you" Howard said as he gestured toward the model of Stark's Expo.

"And someday you'll realize that it represents a whole lot more than just people's inventions. It represents my life's work. This is the key to the future. I'm limited by the technology of my time, but one day you'll figure this out. And when you do, you will change the world" Howard continued on as the image displays a model of the arc reactor for a few seconds before the video image focuses back onto the model again.

Howard looked directly at the camera and said "What is and always will be my greatest creation is you!" as the film ended Tony feels touched to hear his father's final words while at the same time got a flash of inspiration.

"Jarvis, display the 1974 Stark Expo model scan again" Tony said as he quickly rotated the model so that he could view the model from the top.

After making some adjustment to the holographic model scan of the 1974 Stark Expo model, the model in front of him finally resembles a nucleus. As Tony expanded it, Tony said "Dead for almost 20 years, but still a man ahead of his time".

"The proposed element should serve as a viable replacement for palladium" Jarvis answered after running some scans.

Deep inside his heart, Tony is having mixed feelings. In one corner, Tony is excited that he is able to find a cure for himself. While in the other corner, he is a bit frustrated that there is a possibility that Nightwing has the information needed to create his own miniature arc reactor.

"Unfortunately, it is impossible to synthesize" said Jarvis. Hearing this Tony feels slightly reassured.

"Get ready for a major remodel, fellas. We are back in hardware mode" Tony quickly answered as he hurriedly got back to work.

...

Nightwing Base

POV : Harry

Late into the night in the Nightwing Base's Laboratory, I ran a test on the newly improved OZ serum. The merging of the OZ serum obtained from Norman Osborn serum and Hulk's blood is promising but is still unstable. As I was deep in thought thinking of a solution, Bernard came into the room.

Bernard cleared his throat before saying "Get ready for bed, Sir! It is still a school night".

Looking back at Bernard, I said "Seriously!".

"Go get ready for bed, Sir! A good night sleep might help your brain function better" Bernard ordered as he directed me like a child "Be sure to bath and brush your teeth".

I grumbled as I walked slowly upstairs with Bernard smiling smugly as he followed me from behind. As I opened my mouth to speak, Bernard interrupted by snapping "It can wait until morning. Now go. Get ready for bed, Sir" as he stared at me.

Seeing that there was no sense in arguing, I walked up the stairs towards my bedroom saying "Good Night, Bernard".

"Good night, Sir" Bernard replied chuckling.

After a long shower, I put on the clean pajamas that Bernard had laid out for me and picked up my phone.

I smiled as I read the text from Felicia.

[ Was just thinking of you! Can't wait to see you tomorrow morning. Good Night ;)

[ What are you doing up so late? Shouldn't you be sleeping? ] I texted back and then set my phone down on the nightstand. A short moment later, a text came back from her.

Felicia texted [ Was worried about you. I don't want you to think I am a violent girl ]

[ I am fine. Don't worry. If I need rescuing I will call you, my knight in shining armor :) ] I replied back as I got into my bed.

My phone buzzed. Felicia texted [ I only worry if the person is you].

I smiled a little before texting back [ Who is the damsel in distress here?"]

Felicia texted [You ;)]

[ My hero... Don't worry.. I am a big boy I can handle myself. If I can't, I will run and call you] I texted before sighing deeply as I lay down comfortably on my bed.

[ Well big boy. Lets see how you handle me next time] Felicia texted back

[ Damn, you are killing me here. You make me miss you so much right now. Wish you were right by my side now ] I texted.

Suddenly, Bernard stepped in the bedroom door and said "Stop texting and go to sleep, sir!"

"Oh, come on! Bernard. Just a few more minutes" I grumbled at him.

"Make it quick" Bernard replied as he pulled the covers up.

"I am not a kid, Bernard. You don't need to tuck me in anymore" I mumbled.

Bernard smiled at me and said "Good night, Sir".

"Good night" I replied.

As Bernard closed the door behind him, I quickly checked my phone.

[ I miss you too :) Go to sleep so we can see each other soon ] Felicia texted.

[ I love you ] I texted back and closed my eyes with my phone in my hand.

A short moment later, I groggily picked up my phone as it vibrated.

[ I love you too. Hope to see you in my dream ] Felicia texted back

[ Me too ] I replied to her text before closing my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep with my phone still in my hand.

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